Inaugural Pancreatic Cancer Forum Success
Cynthia Terry shared her story
Pancreatic Cancer Forum Update
International Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month was launched at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research on the 1st of November. The inaugural Pancreatic Cancer Forum was the first of its kind in Australia, bringing together researchers, clinicians and families affected by pancreatic cancer. It is with great pleasure that we are able to report back on the success of this event. The forum was a significant step towards raising much-needed awareness for this often forgotten disease.
We would like to thank all of the supporters who were able to join us on the day and those who contributed with stories, opinions and suggestions. We have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback and comments.
For those of you who were unable to attend, the main goals of the forum were to:
- highlight the long overdue breakthroughs in pancreatic cancer research
- explore advances in patient care and support resources
- provide patients, carers and health professionals with the opportunity to share experiences and discuss unmet needs
- collate feedback to set an agenda for moving forward
Speakers and Presentations
- Prof Andrew Biankin, APGI Group Leader at the Garvan Institute and Upper GI Surgeon Bankstown Hospital - provided the latest in APGI research findings specifically relating to the recent breakthrough published in the prestigious Nature journal.
- Dr Lorraine Chantrill, Medical Oncologist – Maccarthur Cancer Therapy Centre, spoke of current clinical needs and the upcoming IMPaCT clinical trial
- Gill Batt, Director of Cancer Information and Support Services, NSW Cancer Council, regarding the latest in patient support tools, specifically the updated cancer care booklet. For more details contact the Cancer Council NSW Helpline on 13 11 20 or go to www.cancercouncil.com.au.
- The Cancer Care Co-ordinators from NSW, QLD and WA were also in attendance to shed some light on their important roles throughout the pancreatic cancer patient’s journey.
- Personal experiences from those touched by pancreatic cancer, specifically from one of our APGI participants, a family member and a carer.
The presentations from our key speakers at the forum are now available here:
Ms Gill Batt
Discussions and Moving Forward
With the aim of extending public interest and awareness about pancreatic cancer throughout November, Garvan has developed some media release templates. If you are interested in sharing your story with your local media, these templates are a great starting point. They allow you to include as much, or as little information about your experiences as you like, while ensuring the important broader messages about pancreatic cancer are included. Please contact Kylie Ironside at Garvan on (02) 9295 8116, or email k.ironside@garvan.org.au for more information.
Our Pancreatic Cancer Awareness working party has already expanded, and focused on continuing this positive momentum over the upcoming year. Immediate agenda items include:
- centralising pancreatic cancer information and support resources, to enable equal accessibility Australia-wide.
- producing a template document to assist those who would like to approach their local government representatives in a bid to increase pancreatic cancer funding and awareness.
The purple fundraising ribbons are still available for purchase, so if you would like to contribute in this way then please visit our website.
All funds raised will support the pancreatic cancer research at the Garvan Institute.
Parliament House Event - November 28
To mark the end of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, on 28 November the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP has offered to host a BBQ lunch in Parliament House, Canberra.
Prof Andrew Biankin will speak on the day, and politicians in attendance will be wearing purple ribbons to help increase public profile and awareness.
Please see the Parliament House Event for details.
